Additional Coverage:
- Prince William and Kate urged to ‘have to be the bigger people’ to Harry and Meghan Markle (irishstar.com)
Prince William and Kate Middleton have been advised on how to navigate their roles as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to return to the UK with their family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to arrive in August with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who will start school when the new term begins in September. Harry and Meghan have lived in the United States for the past six years after stepping back from their official royal duties in 2020.
Relations between the Sussexes and other members of the Royal Family remain tense, particularly between the brothers. Some experts suggest that William may never fully forgive Harry for the candid revelations shared in his memoir, Spare.
Despite the ongoing strain, etiquette expert Laura Windsor has encouraged the Prince and Princess of Wales to “be the bigger people” and offer a warm welcome to Harry and Meghan upon their return. In an interview, Windsor noted that while reconciliation with King Charles seems likely, mending the relationship between the brothers could prove more difficult.
“The once-very-close brothers, Prince Harry and Prince William, have been estranged since Harry began airing his many grievances,” Windsor said. “The most credible path forward is reconciliation with the King, which doesn’t necessarily include the brothers themselves.”
She added that William and Kate will face intense public scrutiny during this period and will need to maintain composure, suggesting they “will have little choice but to keep a stiff upper lip and be the bigger people.”
Windsor also emphasized that any chance of healing within the family will depend on how Harry and Meghan conduct themselves, recommending that a measure of humility on their part would be beneficial. “For the Royal Family, the old principle of ‘don’t complain, don’t explain’ may be the wisest approach,” she said, advising against reacting to provocations from the Sussexes.
Currently, Harry and Meghan will be living in a private, non-royal residence outside London, with their children enrolled in a British school starting this September. There are no plans for them to resume official royal duties at this time.
King Charles was informed of their move on August 16 and reportedly “welcomes the opportunity to see more of the Sussex family in a private and personal capacity,” according to sources close to the palace.